The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-11-27
A UNIQUE POLITICAL EVENT
A Demonstration Showing the Strong
Hold Gen. Harrison Has on His Party.
Hendricks County Republicans Assemble in
Large Numbers and Listen to Logical,
Mastery Speech by the Elk Senator.

DANVILLE, NOV. Zo.-A political meeting and
political speech 10 the middle of November in
IN s'off year. a novelty even in Indiana, where
politics grow every bush, and each man,
woman and child is born politician. Yet that
was the peculiar experience this beautiful little
capital OF 'Old Hendricks" enjoyed to-day
About TWO weeks ago the Republicans of Dan
vile organized the Lincoln League, in pursu-
ance of the plan and purpose of the State CEN
trail committee, and the organization
was we'll under way a committee invited Sena-
tor Harrison TO come and give them
an address, The invitation was accepted, the
idea being to have open club meeting, and
start off in their work this way, keeping up
their meetings during the winter. and thus be
ready and equipped for the campaign of next
spring and summer But the proposed meeting
outgrew it's original intention. The fact that
General Harrison to speak was heralded
throughout the county, and the Lincoln League
had big political rally on its hands before it
knew it. Had the day been pleasant there would
have been of the biggest crowds
IN Danville, but raining hard it did all the
morning, and throughout the entire day with
the slightest intermissions, though many
from the country deferred
from coming in, still the enthusiasm of the peo-
pie and the earnestness and magnitude of the
meeting could not De darnpened curtailed to
appreciable extent Many of the houses of the
town were handsomely decorated, and around
the public square, and on the line of the parade
mals from the depot to the hotel crowds
were gathered, which, in the afternoon,
at the time of speaking. crowded the
large courthouse room, several hundreds
naming standing, many of them ladies,
throughout the two hours of General Har-
rison's speech It was unique political event
well challenge the attention. not only of the
State but of the whole country, indicative of
the spirit and temper of the Republican party of
Indiana
Senator Harrison met at the depot, upon
the arrival of the train. by large delegation of
people and the Lincoln League; and, with them
as escort, headed by the Danvlle Cornet Band,
march made, through the rain and mud,
to the Mansion House, where upon arrival, an
informal reception and hand -sh aking took place,
lasting until dinner time Promptly at o'clock
the General appeared in the courtroom, and
was received with the heartiest applause from
the audience, which had mostly gathered before
that hour The occasion recalled similar
meeting il the same room, where the
General opened his campaign in 1876.
Then, as now. the building crowded
with an earnest. thoughtful. intelligent
people, intent upon the business in hand not
carried away with enthusiasm, but ready and
prompt to respond to clear-cut utterances
aud conclusive argument. But the circum-
stances surrounding the present one were,
stated, altogether unique, and 1t hard to
think that it was not in the midst of heated
political battle. There inspiration in the
meeting, in the audience. in the coseset faces
of 4he many hundreds who crowded the room.
and in the knowledge that there almost
as many outside in the corridors and lower
halls and doorway who could not, by any posi-
ble means, gain their way in. MIR. Enoch G.
Hogate clerk-elect presided. aud introduced
the Senator. saying:
"The Lincoln League of Danville congratu-
late themselves to-day that Notwithstanding the
inclement weather we have such magnificent
audience to greet us on our first public appear
league This league is comnosed of
persons who will be voters at the next election,
and of such persons are old veterans that
have come through many political conflict.
believe that the first motion that was made
made by man eights-four years of age, who
said, 81 move that we form a Lincoln
league. the purpose of which is to beat the
Democratic party at the polls" And upon that
the league established. We, however in
tend it sort of political school, where we
may learn the doctrines. and history, and tradi-
tions of our party. and where we may receive in
struction from those who are capable of instruct
ing us. For that purpose we are met to-day.
purpose
making dress parades, nor forming hollow
squares. nor wearing cockades In our hats;
tbur is formed for the purpose of honest politi
seal work, and do propose to abate our
zeal in this until the last ballot is deposited in
the ballot box in November 1888 Applause.
And We propose furthermore, so far as in our
power, that all the ballots that are deposited in
the ballot box shall be honestly counted. and we
have abiding impression that when this is
done the Democratic party will hear something
drop. and we have further impression that that
something
pounds of avoi rdupois out OF the Pres
idsntial chair [Appauss If Ind is ana should
campaign that time has come to put man
in the presidential chair, we shall not object
and If that to be put into the presidential
chair should be a Republican from Indiana weigh
ing about 100 pounds we will throw our hats
and say hurrah. tADplause-l We are met to-
day under happy circumstances. and the club
congratulatss itself and graduates the people
of the country that we favored with one for
our initial meeting who can talk to US straightly
of the principles of the party. And now ladies and
gentlemen l have the pleasure of Introducing to
you Iudiana's greatest statesman, Hon. Benja-
min Harrison" [Applausel
The address of Mr.. Hogate we'll outlines the
value and purpose of the Lincoln League, and
Hendricks county Republicans set an example
that other counties of the State will be quick to
pattern after. General Harrison at ad-
dressed himself to the discussion of the topics
in hand, and he did it in a most mastery and
effective manner. Coming right from the
United States Court room, where he had been
epgrossed with the care of important law
suit, and with but the slightest preparation,
the speech was symmetrical in its proportions,
forcible in its argument powerful in it's
arragnment of the Democratic party, plain and
unequivocal in its announcements of Republican
principles, and of his own views, and above all,
full of the warmth and bright with the glow of
sincerity and real eoquence. He discussed the
questions OF equal suffrage, North and South.
the management of the States benevolent in
situations the temperance question, what to do
with the surplus, pensions to Union soldiers. and
other matters. He was particularly strong and
outspoken upou the attitude OF the Liquor
League, and the duty OF the Republican party
to antagonize il in its tempted domination of
md 1aOis lafi nd n n